Winterberger Hochtour Trail - The highest trail in North Rhine-Westphalia

The Winterberger Hochtour Trail in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia offers views reaching far into the Sauerland region from 18 different vantage points. So as you might expect, there are one or two summits to enjoy along the way.

The Winterberger Hochtour Trail starts and ends at Mount Kahler Asten. There are two paths that will take you there from Untere Pforte in the centre of Winterberg. This location on the site of the former town gate was once the intersection of two historical trading routes – the Heathland Route from Cologne to Leipzig and the medieval road linking Frankfurt with Soest. From Winterberg you head up Mount Kahler Asten, one of the loftiest peaks in the Sauerland. The observation platform of the summit tower offers splendid 360-degree views of the many surrounding peaks. The Winterberger Hochtour Trail leads over the highest peaks in the Westphalian Upper Sauerland region, crossing eight valleys and introducing you to some magnificent attractions, both natural and cultural. In fine weather, the panoramic views reach as far as Kassel, the Ruhr region and across the Rothaargebirge hills. A variant of the Winterberger Hochtour Trail runs across the Meisterstein to the glittering waters of the mountain lake, set in a valley basin surrounded by rocky crags. Also along the route is the Neuer Hagen nature conservation area with its huge expanse of upland heaths. This is where the walk really gets going, as a succession of mountain peaks and deep valleys calls for maximum effort and exertion. But the rewards come in the form of endless stunning views.

Tip: St. Georg ski jump

The St. Georg ski jump is located in the Skiliftkarussell Winterberg resort near Winterberg, amidst the Rothaargebirge hills. It has already played host to the German Championships and the Summer Grand Prix for Nordic Combined. Its K point is at 80 metres. Back in the year 2000, Austria’s Manuel Fettner set the record for the highest jump with 89.5 metres.